November 12 on 12...

Is there really just one more 12 on 12 left for 2010?? Oh.wow! I can not believe it. This year is just flying by! We have been quite busy here in our household. It's only going to get busier because we've got the holidays coming, I am going to be doing some volunteer work 3 days a week at the elementary school and aaaaaallllll the rest of the fun that goes with this time of year.
Well, I had a few fun things happen today. The first is that I woke up to find that my Slug Buster painting was the featured art for the home page of my Soul Journaling group on Yahoo. This painting was the result of a challenge and they are called misfits. You can read more about it on my art blog here.

Marco has recently taken a great interest in small matchbox cars. He's had a few for a while, but he's just now getting the "hang" of how to play with them. So cute to see him setting them up and then crashing and racing them all over.

Naomi's recent favorite is a 99 cent microphone that I bought for her. It's just made of plastic and echoes back to you. She loves singing into it...

When he's not playing with his cars or doing "karate", you can find him with one of his best friends...Oso.

Okay. This candle is my new favorite. The other one (Creamy Pumpkin) was great, but THIS one. Ahhhhhh... I love it.

I've been using my Sharpies and pens a lot more these days, but I was searching for my very favorite black pen and could not find it. It was a black fine tip pen and I am pretty sure it was called Precision. I finally found it, but it was almost dry. I can't read the name on it, 'cause it was worn away. Anyway, I dumped out the whole container of pens to look for it, and then had to reorganize. I'm glad I did, but now I still need my favorite pen.

*My Sharpies always disappear thanks to my two older girls...but do you notice that they never take the YELLOW? *Shaking my head*

We took the family to Korean BBQ for lunch (cheaper at lunch!) to celebrate Taryn's birthday and brought a small cake along to sing to her. She turned 11 yesterday on 11/11. =)

Had to capture a picture of Hannah today. We all went to the mall after lunch because both of the girls had birthday money to burn. haha My beautiful girl almost always has some kind of flower in her hair. I love that.

We went into Claire's jewelry and I usually roll my eyes at them for wanting to spend money on that stuff. I always tell them that it's going to fall apart. haha. Anyway, my eyes came across a display of the most beautiful stuff. I wanted everything in this collection!!

We went into the Disney store because Taryn wanted to find some kind of Perry the Platypus item. The two little ones were in heaven! We don't go to the mall very often and this was fun for them. =D

Not too long ago, I shared how I won a doodle challenge on one of my yahoo groups. The package I got was packed full of cool vintage papers and ephemera. Anyway, there was a strip that was punched from some sort of text and it looked like a lace doily. I LOVED that little strip. So dainty, but clean, detailed lines. Just the right touch... I have been on the hunt for the punch and then today I got it at JoAnn's for 40% off plus 10% off total purchase...so for about $9, I got this awesome tool and it totally made my day. I told you...I am a simple woman. *smile*

Finally, here is my birthday girl with one of her purchases. It is a pillow and throw blanket that's super soft and most importantly has a character from Phineas and Ferb...she was quite happy with her purchase too!

We all came home and watched a movie together, but the camera was put away by then...it's harder to catch a picture of anybody once they're in their p.j.'s and sweats these days. I can't blame them, I have been hiding from the camera too. Next month, I promise a photo of me. =) Hope your day was a good one. See you next month!

October 12 on 12...FUN DAY!

Well, thanks to a couple friendly reminders...I remembered that it was 12 on 12! I actually had quite the busy day - even though it was all spent at home. The night before was spent at my in-laws home. My brother-in-law and his new wife were down visiting from Washington state. My mother-in-law opted to do a Thanksgiving style dinner and since some of my Canadian friends were celebrating their Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fine! Besides, I'm up for a turkey dinner any time!
So here we go! Won't you come along and see how I spent my day?

This is Hannah, my oldest baby. She will be 15 years old in just 13 days. WOW! I can't believe it. I tried to get a picture of her getting ready for school, but of course I was not successful. Beautiful girl inside and out...such a help to her mama. =)

Here are Taryn and Naomi heading off to school. Do you see their silver limo waiting for them? It looks like it's been raining, but that was from the sprinklers. It was actually very hot on this day. It was over 90 and soooo humid!

I am usually a "clean as you go" person, but this morning I woke up to this in the sink from all I made yesterday. We had to drive an hour away, so I rushed off without cleaning up. We got home so late that I didn't care...now I wish I would've just tackled it. I hate dishes in the sink in the morning. *sigh*

A few of my friends had been asking about getting together to do a craft of some sort, so I had them each decorate a notepad and make a cover for it. It was fun. They brought breakfast and a beautiful fall centerpiece that they made for my table, so I can't complain. =)

We did have quite the house full of kids though. Well, it was only 4 children, but all under the age of THREE? Yeah. That's a house full. LOL Here they are having lunch and living the life of luxury. My son is the most hilarious (choking hazard alert!). He usually HAS to sit at the table. We don't waltz around with food all over the place, but the table was completely covered with craft stuff - so he took full advantage of it!

Here's Taryn, my soon to be 11 year old, busy on her homework. Funny thing. With all the talk about 10/10/10, I got really excited because her birthday is on 11/11... I told her it would be 11/11/11 next year and wouldn't it be great to have a blow out party because she'd be ELEVEN on 11/11/11??? She calmly looked at me and said, "But by then I will be 12"... Doh! "Oh, nevermind then.", says me. hahaha

Look what Naomi brought home today! Her first Kindergarten progress report! Of course she has high marks in all areas. This is my bookworm. She comes home and gets straight to the homework usually. Yes, she has homework every day including Fridays. She does not like to skip a thing. The thought of disappointing her teacher is just unthinkable. My girl! Let's just hope this sticks. =)

So, after homework and dinner were cleared away and the children were settled in to their evening routines, I found some time to finish a little wedding album I was going to give to Jaime and Jessica as a momento of their wedding. Turn the Pandora on, get a cup of coffee and get busy...

It wasn't long before I was called back to the living room. We all had been hearing about the Chilean miners that were trapped so far underground for months. They were finally going to be rescued. I sat there with my children (Marco was out working) and watched through teary eyes as they pulled the first man to the surface. Wow. What a miracle. Thank God for the technology we have, but I am also thankful for the fact that they were able to be in contact with people during this whole time and were able to keep their sanity while they were down there. They each came up with humility and dignity at the same time. I pray that they will not suffer much anguish in the future because of what they endured.

Naomi, who is also my little artist, wanted to paint a picture for a girl who wrote her a letter. This is a picture of them. She did this unassisted.

Well, life can't be all fun and painting and crafting. haha. Thankfully, I am able to stay on top of laundry for 6 people and am almost always caught up. Sure, there's always more - but it does not take over my life like it did when I was working away from home.

Okay. It's the end of the day...and a good one it was. My little guy fell asleep in his pj's on the couch...but then I noticed his feet. Eeeewww. That's worse than the dishes!! Bath first thing in the morning. lol
Well, there it is. I hope you'll join me again next month...How do you spend YOUR days?

12 of 12 for August...

Well, hope you all had a great 12 of 12! I was up for about an hour or two before I realised that it was the 12th! I had a super busy day and managed to take a few pictures to at least give you a peek into my day...so let's start here:

I don't mean to start off on a negative tone, but this did NOT make me happy. Of course, nobody knows who left the cup on top of the album, but there it was - and yes, it left a ring! =(

I had to head out to the school to pack up my classroom. I was planning on returning to teach for the 2010 - 2011 school year, but circumstances changed and I have decided that I will be staying home with my little Marco. It was bitter-sweet. Sad that I will miss my students and glad that I get this special time with my boy. I know I made the right choice and I can't wait to see what is in store for us!

My awesome hubby (who helped me pack) decided he would give this place a second chance. He wasn't thrilled with it the first time he had it for some reason, but was very pleased with the house fried rice (had chicken, beef and shrimp). Oh, yeah! Not paleo at all, but so good.

Our fortunes...interesting. haha!

My good friend Vicki came to my house to do our hair. All the girls got a cut or clean up. Somehow I missed Taryn's cut...she was in the chair and out. Just a trim for her. Hannah is here just getting layers put back in...but guess what?? Wait until you see Naomi!

Here she is with Marco and Vicki's granddaughter, Lexi-lou! They had a blast together...

I got my hair colored and hi-lited...Yes, I am hiding. I wanted the moment recorded, but obviously was not feeling very photogenic. My son laughs and laughs when my hair is all papered up like this.

My little Naomi will be starting Kindergarten this year. It will be an all day class and she is excited! New school, new year...

New do!!! I could not believe she agreed to have her hair cut! I love it and think it makes her Korean side just POP! =)

Marco did not have time to sit around while we all got our hair done. It was hot outside and he was going to do something about it!

And now, he's hungry and doing something about it....or maybe he's tired....

Yup. He was tired, and as you can see - he's doing something about this too! haha. Funny thing, he woke up about 30 minutes later and before his eyes were even open, he took a bite of his pizza. Ewww...just picked up where he left off, I guess!

Well, Hannah ended up going home with Christina for the evening, so that left me to clean up by myself and then zone out a bit before bed. What a day!

April 12 of 12...

Didn't think there'd be much to document since it was going to be a "regular" school day, but then I realized that's what this project is all about. It's supposed to capture my day - regardless of what my schedule is. So... here we go. Just a little glimpse because I didn't get started until I got to school and then faded out somewhere toward the end.... =)

This is my special girl Hannah. She stops by to see me between classes sometimes. Love her so much!

My student Hannah was very excited to get this souvenir from someone who recently went to Haiti. She wants to be a missionary to Haiti one day. She's another special Hannah.

Just a few of my 8th graders in a study group during history. I teach some of the most awesome students in the world.

Here's another one of my students. Lane is showing us the proper technique (according to him) for stretching before a run. He cracks me up.

This is what one side of the sky looked like outside of the school today.

This is what the other side looked like. Crazy and cool, huh?

Here's my little Marco and Naomi after school in my class. They are enjoying a little snack. Naomi is in K-4 and Little Marco is in daycare here at the school. I enjoy having him close by.

This is one of their favorite activities in the afternoon. They play while I catch up on grading or lesson plans.

Speaking of grading...here's one of the tests that I was grading.

Had to get a snapshot of Danielle. She is the daughter of one of my best friends. I wish the camera did justice to her big blue eyes, but her smile and freckles are definitely represented here!

Not sure what happened, but this was the last shot today. Hannah had a game and I started out taking pics here and there, but then the game got so exciting I must've put my camera away. I know!! What was I thinking??

Anyway, there you go. By this time it is usually after 6 and we are headed home to figure out what's for dinner or run errands. It is always a full day, but I am always reminded at the end of the day how blessed I am.

March 12 of 12...

So, I read Susan's reminder email before I went to bed, got my camera ready and then forgot by the time I woke up. Ahhhhh yes. I am a dingbat. No worries though...I remembered by the time I got to school. Not a very eventful day really, but hey - it was Friday! That makes it pretty good no matter what.
Well, here we go...

I brought my coffee maker in to school and the English teacher and I can have coffee within reach whenever we want it. I just didn't feel like making that walk to the kitchen just for coffee...plus I like mine just so... Oh. Can't forget my sugar-free creamer. It helps to start the day this way...trust me.

This is my little man Marco with two of his friends. They had a dinosaur day at daycare and learned about dinosaurs and had special food, etc. He wore his dinosaur p.j.'s 'cause that's all he had that had a dinosaur on it. Cutie.

One of my new favorite things. Bought these beautiful sweet peppers at Costco. My kids love them too. I brought these to snack on at lunch. Yummy and pretty.

Here's my Hannah trying to sneak by me. She saw me with the camera and tried to hurry by...oh, no you don't! Say cheese!!

This is our school and where I come to teach every day. I love it.

The sky was a perfect blue and spring was definitely in the air. Fall is my favorite, but I can't complain about this at all!

This is the back of my classroom. Just changed this back board to Civil War. I am teaching the Civil War to two of my classes right now. I still get choked up whenever I talk about Lee surrendering to Grant and how they both treated each other with such dignity and respect. Is that corny that I get emotional over that? Alas... I can not help it. *sigh*

This arrived in the mail today. I really don't have anymore subscriptions these days, but a girl in our church was doing a fund-raiser thing and I didn't want to pay for candy. I do enjoy this magazine though. My favorite magazine is Artful Blogging and Where Women Create. Of course, they are more like books. They come out every 3 months, I believe. So inspiring!

Towels to fold...not as inspiring, but I don't mind it.

Marco and Naomi having an after school snack and playing one of their favorite things. Naomi received this special quilt that was made by a friend of my sister. The kids play "I spy" with it.

I was at a loss as to what to make for dinner. I had forgotten to take any meat out and my husband was about to just throw in the towel and order pizza. I remembered that I had a bag of those frozen chicken tenderloins from Costco (love that place!) and decided to make a mushroom cream sauce for it and do some steamed brussel sprouts on the side. YUM.

Marco made a redbox run and we ended the evening watching Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. It was cute...made me hungry though.

And that's it folks! Another month gone by. Do you participate in the 12 of 12? If so, let me know in the comments section!